Return to Valley of the Temples Waterfalls

by kenji SAITO on November 1, 2026

When Mother Nature saturates the saddles but moistens the mountains, I guess the only thing left to do is explore waterfalls under a trickling sky.

Ahuimanu Hills

Ahuimanu Hills

We drove to the neighborhood that was one of the finalists in Reader’s Digest Nicest Places in America in 2019.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Edgar crossing one of multiple small streams emanating from the mountains.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

I don’t think this is a good idea to give a clumsy person a sharp edged weapon. This could turn out bad.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Some chose to delay the inevitable by keeping their shoes dry while others just took the plunge.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

We found a partially deflated beach ball. We are easily amused.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Roger having a peach of a time making his way under the thicket of hau tree branches. This is why he comes to visit Oahu.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Making our way through the thick forest canopy with rocky underfooting.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

We soon intersected with the service road and contoured our way around the water tank.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Checking out the bumper step. Creative recycling.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Breaking out of the forest and glimpsing views of the waterfalls streaming down the Ko’olau Mountains.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Playing an impromptu game of mountain volleyball until the ball gave up its last gasp of air.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Group photo inside the tattered gazebo.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Leaving the recreational area behind us.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Scrambling our way down to the stream below us.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Proving that tire swinging brings out the kid in everybody.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Following the stream to its source.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Our first waterfall. Yay!

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Somebody really likes waterfalls. All wet.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Insta360 view.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Drone view.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Rock hopping our way to the next waterfall. The joy.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Splish splashing in a shallow pool.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

A tire too far.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Replicating the salmon run.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Our second waterfall. Double Yay! Give me a moment to catch my breath.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Double trouble.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

View of the upper tier brought to you by Edgar’s drone.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

We had time, so we went off in search of the two remaining waterfalls.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Aileen and Roger climbing up the lower falls.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

The start of our muddy and strenuous climb up this slippery hill. Talk about a cardio workout.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Somebody was not having fun on this climb, the eyes say it all.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Marilyn all smiles at the third waterfall as she was thinking about the different colors of the rainbow.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Insta360 view of the group.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Drone view of the top of the cloud soaked mountains that feeds the waterfalls that cascade down its flanks, only during heavy rainfall.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

We contoured our way to the last waterfall and thankfully skipped the steep climb back down.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Gathering at the fourth waterfall.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Our last group photo of the day.

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Temple Valley Falls Trail

Drone view of the waterfall as it seemingly ascends towards heaven.

All pau

All pau

Walking back to our cars, some of us got curbside service.

GPS Tracks

GPS Tracks

Our waterfall hike covered roughly three miles against the base of the Ko’olau Mountain Range, while not gushing, was enough to count as four waterfalls in our book with fun company. Post hike meal at Don Goya’s Mexican Food where the birthday meal and fried ice cream are on the house, you just have to supply your own flame. Happy Birthday Roger!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAX2VtNeCAY

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our hike.

Photos/Crew taken by Aileen Agustin, Akira Suzuki, Chris Bautista, Edgar Gamiao, Marilyn Bermudez, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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